Under The Flame

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"Here he comes," Adam whispered. He looked up from the table at which they were sitting in catering and released Amy's hand. "Quick - what are we going to pick a fight about?"

Amy didn't have to think about it longer than five seconds.

"How about Torrie?"

The blond man hesitated for a beat, giving her a strange look.

"Okay."

The redhead spoke to him with her eyes as she started in with their ruse.

"Don't hand me that line of bull, Adam Copeland! I saw you with my own two eyes!"

"N-Nothing happened!" he cried.

Amy stood up just then as Matt entered the room from the backstage arena hallway.

"You were flirting with her! She came on to you right in front of me and you flirted with her!" She gestured wildly with both hands, getting her emotion from exactly the way she felt when Torrie had really tried something. She knew Adam would never give another woman the time of day or cheat on her, but she knew how angry she would be if he did.

"You're imagining things, Amy."

"Oh, am I?!" she shouted. "I think I would know the difference between fantasy and reality, Adam!" She was actually amazed that Matt hadn't come over by now, to 'rescue' her. Inwardly, she rolled her eyes and fumed about the thought of that.

"Oh, would you give me a break?" the Canadian snapped. He suddenly got to his feet and reached for her arm, but she pulled away, crossing her arms over her breasts.

"Leave me alone! As far as I'm concerned, you can have her! This is what I get for taking you back!"

"Amy!" he growled.

"Hey! Don't you get it? She doesn't want anything to do with you!" This time, it was Matt Hardy who'd spoken. The dark-haired man came over in an instant to stand beside the redhead, his arm going around her shoulders in a protective - or maybe possessive - manner.

Adam licked his lips as he stared at the other wrestler. His stomach churned at the way he'd swooped in and deemed himself Amy's 'savior.' If he tried anything with her...

He threw those thoughts and fears from his mind. After all, he trusted his girlfriend. And Amy knew how to take care of herself and handle Matt. Still, he didn't like it.

"This is none of your business, Hardy," he said in a surprisingly calm, even voice.

"Sure, and afterward, why don't-"

Trish Stratus abruptly cut off her own sentence. "-Whoops! What's going on here?" She looked from Amy, Matt and Adam to Jeff at her side and then back again. In reality, she knew all about the farce going on since Jeff had told her all about it, as had Amy.

"Not much, Trish," the redheaded diva replied. "Just Adam and me breaking up."

"What?!" The Canadian man reached up with both hands to grasp his head. "You're breaking up with me because you think I flirted with another woman? Amy, for the love of God-"

"I suggest you get out of here," Matt snapped, his dark eyes glittering dangerously, "unless you want me to get physical."

"Hey, c'mon, man," Jeff said. He stepped in between them, both arms outstretched.

Adam glared with very real anger at the elder Hardy, finding it difficult to keep himself in check. He clenched his right hand into a fist, noting the way Amy bit her lip, her eyes casting down. He knew she was not the world's best actress, but she'd done a damn good, convincing job.

Running a hand through his long blond hair, and without another word, he backed off, turned and left the room.

Trish and Jeff watched their friend leave, then exchanged glances before turning to Amy and Matt.

"Are you okay, Ames?" the dark-haired man asked. He eyed her with concern.

She nodded, though she was barely able to keep her eyes on his.

"Yes... I'm... I'm fine, Matt. Thank you." She bit her lip as she glanced over at Jeff and Trish. She hoped she wasn't making a huge mistake in doing this.
 
 
 

Part 18

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